Gorillaz Cracker Island review
Music, Sounds

Gorillaz, Cracker Island: REVIEW

by Dave MacIntyre

“Some Gorillaz fans may bemoan its glossier pop sheen, but Cracker Island is also more focused, concise and spirited than anything they’ve released since Plastic Beach.”

Gorillaz, Cracker Island (Parlophone/Warner)

Gorillaz are nothing if not vibrant and eclectic, and their eighth album Cracker Island delivers on that front yet again. It’s also the sound of Damon Albarn ostensibly correcting course on the chaotic and bloated nature of prior releases like 2017’s Humanz. Though its first two singles — the title track and “New Gold” — remain among the album’s best moments, the ones they saved for release day were well worth the wait. The elegant, gorgeous Stevie Nicks duet “Oil” is an early contender for song of the year, and the bouncy “Tarantula” and the Bad Bunny-featuring “Tormenta” are also standouts. Some Gorillaz fans may bemoan its glossier pop sheen, but Cracker Island is also more focused, concise and spirited than anything they’ve released since Plastic Beach. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “New Gold”

“New Gold” by Gorillaz from Cracker Island

For more on Gorillaz, please visit the band’s website.

This review was originally published in the March 2023 issue of Cult MTL.

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Posted in Music, Sounds

by Dave MacIntyre

Contributing editor for Music
Dave MacIntyre is a Montreal-based freelance journalist. His primary topic of interest is music, but is equally comfortable writing about sports, current events, and Montreal-related initiatives. Outside of Cult MTL, his bylines can be found in publications like BeatRoute and Northern Transmissions. And no, he is not related to Reba, nor to the WWE wrestler Drew, nor to Joey from New Kids on the Block.